Tokyo

all Tokyo hotels are on a separate page, found above or in the left-hand side menu

Fukuoka

Grand Hyatt Fukuoka | Mid Part of the Canal City complex. Nice bar and lounge area, and a short walk from Hakata station. [last visited: 2015]

Crowne Plaza ANA | MidGood location a few blocks from Hakata station and JR Hakata City. Rooms are small but the level of service is quite a few notches above the basic level hotels. [last visited: 2013]

Hotel Forza Hakata | BasicRight next to Hakata station, great when continuing with a train the next day. [last visited: 2016]

Dormy In Premium Hakata Canal City Mae | BasicA (very slightly) more upscale version of the basic level Dormy Inn, this one has a really nice onsen area and rooms slightly larger than the average basic level hotel. Located right next to the new extension of Canal City. [last visited: 2012]

Dormy Inn Hakata Gion | BasicSort of in between Canal City and Hakata station, and slightly older than some of its local basic level peers. Still a good option and the onsen is quite decent. [last visited: 2013]

Hotel Active Hakata | BasicGreat location a few blocks from Hakata station, nice facilities and a small but nicely designed onsen area on the ground floor. One weird thing is that some (all?) rooms have frosted windows, preventing an accurate check of what the weather is actually like. [last visited: 2011]

Hiroshima

Crowne Plaza ANA | MidClose to the Peace Park and a within easy reach from downtown Hiroshima, ANA Crowne Plaza is a good bet. Rooms are small but nice. The ground floor restaurant runs a pretty nice, upscale lunch buffet. [last visited: 2011]

Kagoshima

Richmond Hotel Tenmonkan| BasicGreat location in the middle of the busy Tenmonkan area. Usually really decent rates, service is friendly and attentive too. A personal favorite of mine. [last visited: 2016]

Kyoto

Hotel Monterey Kyoto | MidGreat location, rates are often pretty good, and they have really nice onsen and relaxation facilities on the top floor. [last visited: 2012]

Nine Hours | BasicIncredibly minimalistic tube hotel, designed to the very last detail. If you ever want to try sleeping in a tiny pod, this is the place to do it. Simply pay by the hour, hence the name. [last visited: --]

Oita

Osaka

Courtyard by Marriot Shin-Osaka Station | MidClose to the Shin-Osaka Station (that's where the Shinkansen gets you). Nice and slightly more upscale than a regular Japanese business hotel. [last visited: 2016]

Swissotel Nankai Osaka | MidPretty much right on top of Namba station and right next to Namba Parks, rooms have recently been renovated and are quite nice. Easy to get to from Shin-Osaka station using the subway. [last visited: 2013]

Apa Hotel Namba Shinsaibashi | BasicA few blocks from Namba station and Namba parks. A great basic level pick. Close to major and upscale shopping. A bit of a trek from Shin-Osaka station though, but not too complex it you grab a cab to Namba station and catch the subway from there to Shin-Osaka. [last visited: 2013]